New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-03

cannot be evaded. nor can its implications be de-
prived of their far-reaching significance. Inc DIG
tence that Africa Is being opened up for the goou
of its people must be abandoned In face OF the facts
Nothing can be clearer than that the kind OF com
mcrce now carried on with that country is uttery
base. cruel and wrong. If il be alleged that trade
cannot be conducted without free rum the uhhes-
itating reply will be that trade ought not 10 he
carried on al all If it involves the decentralization OF
the people of Africa But the pretence that rum is
indispensable happens to be false pretcnce. as MI
Hornaday shows by the example Of an Engiish nrih
which has fOrty-two stations in Africa. and when
does an extensive and steadily increasing business
without he aid of one drop Of intoxicating liquor.
1t is no doubt. and unfortunately true that the
negro loves drink and that he generally gives the
trader every opportunity to Introduce It, But tha'
fact only increases the responsibility OF the adj
vanced races that are dealing with this backward
one.
TIE remedial measure proposed by Mr.. Hornaday
is new conference of all the Powers to restrict
and control the rum traffic. In considering the
probabilities of success in such an undertaking 1t
must be remembered that the United States Great
Britain, Italy and Belgium are already committed
against free rum the Congo. Germany and the
Netherlands are the obstacles to Christian legsla-
ton. With them the apparent controlling motVe
is naked greed of gam The question is whether
these recalcitrant Powers can be persuaded or
shamed into abandoning the position they nave
taken: whether they can be induced TO CONFRONT
the wrath of their makers and sellers III snort
When we consider the crimes which all nations
have committed in the alleged interests OF com
MERGE and the paralysis which habitualy overtakes
national conscience when the needs of trade are
asserted as justification for almost any outrage
nm aak naoules and tribes the probability tnar
the chief beue6ciarIcs of the Congo rum traihc
will consent to forego their opportunities cannot
be regarded as strong. But whatever the prospect
may be- is 1t any less the duty of Christians
everywhere TO make this their own cause and to
contend In it to the endf
Moreover moral influences are not without weight
even in this self-sceking age and it has been re-
pealedly demonstrated that the example OF the
limited States III righteous cause can
effect much. 1t was that example whlch
led TO tho general recognition OF the
Congo Free State and that example may once more
be followed if 1t is employed to show Europe the
path of duty. The case too is one concerning
which the moral and religious sentiment of
America must express itself, or stand condemned
and stultifed Free rum the Congo could only
be defended under a system of devil-worship. NO
consistent Christian can possibly excuse or ao-
stain from denouncing it. Bat # Christcndom by
mere inaction suffers the evil to survive and spread,
what is the religion worth The question Is com
pact and clear The churches must take II mp IL
is emphatically their business. But IL Is aiSo the
business of every man and woman who respects ana
believes IN modern civilization, and who has any
feeling for humanity beyond what savage pos
sesses As the case stands free rum must houilsh
on the Congo for twenty years unless the gehera
act of the Berlin Conference IL superseded 10y
fresh legislation If. however. nothing is done 20
check the abominablc traffic IL is evident that IN
much less than twenty years the lnha btants OF
the Congo Basin will have been fatally corrupted.
Prompt vigorous and general action IS demanded
and TO the end that the facts may be made known
we hope that wide circulation Will be gwen W.
striking account OF the SITUATION